Two key and contested debates were about the election of union officials and the union’s political structures and affiliation to the Labour Party.

Unite members do not elect any paid officials other then the General Secretary. There were many different motions calling for the election of different types of officers by different constituencies. These motions all fell and the status quo prevailed.

Unite has deleted from its rules the caveat “so far as it may be lawful”. General Secretary Len McClusky made clear this was about the existing trade union laws and the Tories’ planned new attack on the right to strike.

Author:

Janine Booth, delegate from Central Line East branch

The Annual General Meeting of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union voted to back Jeremy Corbyn’s bid for Labour leader, fight the Tories’ attacks on trade union rights, and step up its work on equalities.

As well as committing to militant industrial struggles, delegates also voted unanimously for several emergency resolutions from branches opposing the tightening of anti-union laws promised in the Queen’s Speech. These included support for a national demonstration and rank-and-file conference this year.

The Annual General Meeting of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union voted to back Jeremy Corbyn’s bid for Labour leader, fight the Tories’ attacks on trade union rights, and step up its work on equalities.

Delegates gathered in Glasgow for the Unison Local Government Conference on 14-15 June.

Following the special conference in March, pay was very much on the minds of many. Questions about what had happened to our pay claim were a hot topic among delegates. A fringe meeting was called by Salford City branch on Saturday night to discuss the way forward and build support for their emergency motion on pay.

Delegates gathered in Glasgow for the Unison Local Government Conference on 14-15 June.

Author:

Darren Bedford

FBU conference took place last week 11-15 May, one of the first union conferences since the general election. Discussion revolved around the incoming Tory government and the likely onslaught firefighters and other workers will face in the coming period.

FBU conference took place last week 11-15 May, one of the first union conferences since the general election. Discussion revolved around the incoming Tory government and the likely onslaught firefighters and other workers will face in the coming period.

Local government workers in Unison held a special conference on 24 March which, as previously reported in Solidarity, voted against the leadership to submit a new additional claim to achieve the living wage — throwing out the two-year deal the leadership had made with employers.

The Executive conceded many criticisms in advance, not opposing critical motions, choosing to stand firm solely over re-submitting a pay claim for this year.

Local government workers in Unison held a special conference on 24 March which voted against the leadership to submit a new additional claim to achieve the living wage — throwing out the two-year deal the leadership had made with employers.

Publications:

Author:

Ed Whitby

On 24 March local government workers from the largest union in that sector, Unison, will meet to debate the decision to call off the strike action over pay.

Activists were angry that the dispute against the employers' pathetic 1% pay offer was called off in favour of an even more pathetic 2% over 2 years, not just compounded the difference between pay rise and inflation, but also preventing members taking action in the run up to national and local elections.

Unsion activists in local government are angry that the dispute against the employers' pathetic 1% pay offer was called off in favour of an even more pathetic 2% over 2 years.